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The monks of Gethsemani celebrated Christmas 2009 with a midnight
vigil beginning at 11:30 PM on the 24th of December. The service
began with a series of scripture readings alternating with psalms.
A solemn mass followed. Hymns familiar and monastic were
interspersed through the service.
Many people came from the surrounding area to be part of this
joyous occasion.
Mass was also celebrated on Christmas day itself, in the morning.
Since Christmas is one of the two "octave" feasts of the year
(the other, of course, being Easter), the masses for the entire
following week were more formal than usual.
Br. Paul did a magnificent job decorating the sanctuary, as these
photos show. Click on them to see larger views.
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